Cooling sleeve with a support element

Abstract

A cooling sleeve for receiving a preform comprising a receiving cavity having a receiving opening so that a preform can be inserted into the receiving cavity, and a fluid passage arranged so that when the receiving opening is closed a fluid can be introduced into or removed from the receiving cavity by way of the fluid passage, wherein the cooling sleeve extends along a longitudinal axis and the fluid passage has a passage opening which is arranged near the longitudinal axis and which is arranged opposite the receiving opening. The cooling sleeve allows accelerated cooling of the sprue region of the preform without corresponding noses or markings being formed at the outside of the preform. Arranged in the fluid passage in the region of the passage opening is a support element having a support surface for contacting the preform when the preform is inserted into the cooling sleeve.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A cooling sleeve for receiving a preform comprising a receiving cavity having a receiving opening by way of which a preform can be inserted into the receiving cavity, and a fluid passage which is so arranged that when the receiving opening is closed a fluid can be introduced into the receiving cavity or removed from the receiving cavity by way of the fluid passage, wherein the cooling sleeve extends along a longitudinal axis and the fluid passage has a passage opening which is arranged on or in the proximity of the longitudinal axis and which is arranged opposite the receiving opening, wherein, arranged in the fluid passage in the region of the passage opening is a support element having a support surface which is provided for coming into contact with the preform when the preform is inserted into the cooling sleeve. 
     
     
       2. A cooling sleeve as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the support surface has a central region and an annular region surrounding the central region, wherein only the annular region has at least one through opening connected to the fluid passage. 
     
     
       3. A cooling sleeve as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the support element is substantially disk-shaped having a first surface which has the support surface, a second surface which is arranged opposite the first surface, and a peripheral surface connecting the first and second surfaces together, wherein the disk has preferably at least one eccentric through opening which connects the first and second surfaces together and/or at least one groove extending in the axial direction in the peripheral surface. 
     
     
       4. A cooling sleeve as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the support element has a deflection element for said fluid, which is of such a configuration that said fluid which flows at a side remote from the support surface substantially along the longitudinal axis and onto the deflection element is guided radially outwardly around the support surface. 
     
     
       5. A cooling sleeve as set forth in  claim 2  wherein the support element has a deflection element for said fluid, which is of such a configuration that said fluid which flows at a side remote from the support surface substantially along the longitudinal axis and onto the deflection element is guided radially outwardly around the support surface. 
     
     
       6. A cooling sleeve as set forth in  claim 3  wherein the support element has a deflection element for said fluid, which is of such a configuration that said fluid which flows at a side remote from the support surface substantially along the longitudinal axis and onto the deflection element is guided radially outwardly around the support surface. 
     
     
       7. A cooling sleeve as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the longitudinal axis extends through the support surface. 
     
     
       8. A cooling sleeve as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the fluid passage is of a stepped configuration, having a portion of larger cross-section and a portion of smaller cross-section, wherein the portion of smaller cross-section opens into the receiving cavity and the support element is arranged in the portion of larger cross-section. 
     
     
       9. A cooling sleeve as set forth in  claim 3  wherein the fluid passage is of a stepped configuration, having a portion of larger cross-section and a portion of smaller cross-section, wherein the portion of smaller cross-section opens into the receiving cavity and the support element is arranged in the portion of larger cross-section. 
     
     
       10. A cooling sleeve as set forth in  claim 8  wherein the portion of larger cross-section has a female screwthread and there is provided a threaded sleeve having a male screwthread, which can be screwed into the portion of larger cross-section so that the support element is arranged between the portion of smaller cross-section and the threaded sleeve. 
     
     
       11. A cooling sleeve as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the support element is reciprocatable between a support position in which the support element is arranged in the passage opening and an ejection position in which the support element is arranged at least in part within the receiving cavity. 
     
     
       12. A cooling sleeve as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the support element is prestressed in the direction of the receiving cavity by means of an elastic element. 
     
     
       13. An injection molding tool for the production of preforms having at least one core and at least one cavity and comprising a cooling sleeve according to  claim 1  for receiving a produced preform, wherein the tool has a closed position in which the core is arranged in the cavity and an open position in which the core is arranged outside the cavity, wherein a mold space is formed in the closed position between the core on the one hand and the cavity on the other hand, the internal contour of the mold space corresponding to the external shape of the preform to be produced, wherein there is provided a sprue passage having a mouth opening into the mold space, by way of which plasticised molten material can be fed into the mold space. 
     
     
       14. An injection molding tool as set forth in  claim 13  wherein the passage opening of the fluid passage of the cooling sleeve is larger than the mouth opening of the sprue passage. 
     
     
       15. An injection molding tool as set forth in  claim 13  wherein the support surface of the support element of the cooling sleeve is smaller than the mouth opening of the sprue passage. 
     
     
       16. An injection molding tool as set forth in  claim 14  wherein the support surface of the support element of the cooling sleeve is smaller than the mouth opening of the sprue passage.